Vegetable Gardening Basics PDF
Preview Vegetable Gardening Basics
Vegetable Gardening Basics Dr. Stephanie J. Walker Extension Vegetable Specialist Benefits of Having a Home Garden • Know where your food comes from, and what goes into it • Vegetables can be enjoyed at peak freshness, nutritional value • Grow the varieties of vegetables you want Know Your Climate • Length of the growing season • Last frost / first frost dates • Night vs. day temp. • Locations of microenvironments http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ NM Number of Frost Free Days • Area 1: more than 180 days (Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Hobbs) • Area 2: less than 180, more than150 days (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell) • Area 3: less than 150 days (Farmington, Los Alamos, Taos) Planning & Recordkeeping • Placement • Proximity to water • Types of veggies (what do you like?) • Keep a log book – Crop placement – Varietal results – General activities Getting ready to plant • Starting off: – Organize, order, and prepare seeds – Start transplants • Research – Sun loving – Shade dwellers – Drought tolerant – Timing http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/honeyhillny/seed_packets.jpg Spacing • Know the size potential of every plant in order to give it enough space • Example: Carrots need approximately 4 in. between plants, broccoli needs about 1 foot between plants http://www.communityworks945.org/CommunityGarden945/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_1705-713877.JPG Harvest at the Right Time Know your vegetables -Premature harvest reduces amount of nutrient and flavor compounds -Late harvest may result in a fibrous, less tender, bland or bitter crop Water • Essential for growing a garden in the desert --All you need is a little WATER!!! • Best times -evening -early morning • How often? • Scout and feel http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/81/3081-004-A94E3EBB.jpg Water Properly to Improve Yields • After planting irrigate lightly every 2-3 days until germination • Once plants are established do not over or under water – Root Rot vs. Blossom End Rot http://lawncare.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/13/96q8_wateringlawn070424_2.jpg
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